Thermostatically-controlled valve



June 13, i 925.

A. E. PAIGE THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed Aug. 20, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jline 16, 1925.

A. E. PAIGE THERMOSTATIGALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed Aug. 20, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VII/l/I/ll/llllI/Illldi which is rigidly connected with the top closure 10 of said water container 9, extends nearly to the bottom closure 8 of said container so as to supply the latter with cold water 18 from a municipal or other source.

Of course, any water heated in the structure above described is correspondingly expanded and tends to rise to the top of said container 9; while the relatively cold water 18 gravitates into said spreader 15 through the axial opening within said flange 16 and is distributed radially outward by a diaphragm in said spreader so that it reaches the bottom convex wall of said spreader at its outer circumference and gravitates thence downwardly toward the center of said spreader.

The construction and arrangement of said spreader 15 are such that the cold water thus flowing into said spreader at the perimeter thereof, is heated so as torise in said axial hot water pipe 14 which extends nearly to the top of said container 9, so that hot water rising through said pipe 14 may be almost directly drawn oil through the pipe 23 which leads to the dispensing 'taucets.

Of course, expansion of the water 18 within said spreader 15 causes precipitation of any solid matter which is normally sus pended and carried in the water. Therefore, to enable the operator to eliminate any sediment deposited in the spreader, which would detract from its etlieieney of opera tion, I provide the bottom of the spreader with the drain pipe 28 which has the stop cock 29 exterior to said casing 1, so that, by opening said step cock, any sediment in the spreader may be rinsed out with the water thus drawn directly downward therethrough.

In the form of my invention indicated in Fig. I, the burner 3 is supplied with gas through the pipe 30, under manual control of the stop cock 31,- but also under automatic control of the thern'iostatically operative fuel valve having the casing Said casing 33 has the tubular extension 34 provided with the screw thread 35 detachably fitted in water-tight relation with the spud 36 in said heater shell 1; so that the thermo static tube 38 extends horizontally in the water 18 in the container 9 but in tangential relation with a circle larger than the outside diameter of said pipe 14, so as to clear the latter.

Said valve casing 33 has the internal partition 40 with the circular main valve seat 41 thereon in coaxial relation with the plunger bearing 43 and the internally screw threaded seat 44 for the removable closure plug 45, which latter has the wrench hold 46 exterior to said casing. Said valve casing 33 also has the internally screw threaded pipe inlet seat 48 and pipe outlet seat 49 at respectively opposite sides thereof, leading from respectively opposite sides of said partition 40.

The main gas valve 50 is a disk litted to said valve seat 41 and having two axial stems 51 and 52 projecting from respectively opposite sides thereof. Said valve stem 52 merely serves to engage the spiral spring 55 which is compressed between said plug and said valve 50 and normally tends to close said valve upon its seat and thus shut oii the gas supply to said burner 3.

Said main valve 50 is arranged to be automatically operated by the thermostatic couple including said tube 38, which is conveniently formed of copper, and the carbon rod 57 which is in contact with said tube 38 at its end remote from said valve casing so that said rod 57 is moved axially toward said valve 50 by the contraction oil said tube 38; the expansion and contraction of said rod being practically negligible within the range of temperatures to which said couple are subjected in the embodiment described. Ordinarily, it is desiredto permit said main gas valve 50 to be closed by its spring whenever thewater 18 in the container 9 reaches 170 1 and to open said valve, automatically, by the operation of said thermostatic couple, whenever the temperature of said water falls below 170 F. That result might be attained by extending the stem 51 of said valve 50 so that it contacts with the adjacent end of said carbon rod 57 when the valve is in the closed position shown in Fig. HI and the water at a temperature of 170 F., as any decrement in that temperature of the water would cause the copper tube 38 to contract and thrustsaid rod 57 against the valve stem 51 to open the valve. However, a device of that simple character is not commericially practicable, for the reason that the [lame at the burner 33 would be extinguished every time said valve 50 closed, and unconsunied gas would be discharged through the burner whenever said valve 50 was thus automatically opened, unless the gas be manually lighted which, of course, would require the constant attendance of an operator. There fore, attempts have been made to solve that diiliculty by providing a bypass conduit around the main valve leading to what is termed a pilot light, viz., a small burner 4, independent of the larger burner 3, but so located with'respect thereto, that it serves to ignite gas discharged through said burner 3 whenever the main valve is opened. However, those double burner striugturcs have been found objectionable, because no provision is made therein for automatically varying the volume of gas delivered to such pilot lights in accordance with the temperature of the water heated, and the pressure and flow of gas not only differs in ditterent locations of such heaters but fluctuate through a considerable range in any location and, consequently, it is impossible to predetermine the rate of flow of gas to such a pilot light so that it shall be suflicient to prevent said light from being accidentally extinguished and not more than is needed for heating the water. Therefore, it has been found necessary to supply such 'a double burner, for an ordinary household gas water heater, with an average of titty cubiciiteet ot'gas per hour; a large portion of which is wasted because the heat of its combustion is not entirely absorbed by the water and passes off with the products of combustion from the heater.

Therefore, I provide means to automatically control the flow of all of the gas consumed whenever the valve 31 is manually opened and the initial flow of gas ignited at the burner or burners. In the form shown, the water may be heated by the single burner 3 without using said pilot burner l, and the flow of fuel. gas to that single burner is controlled not only by the main valve aforesaid but by an auxiliary valve controlling a bypass aroundthe main valve; both the volume of gas through said main valve port and through the bypass'bcing automatically variably determined by the same thermostatically operative means.

Therefore, as shown in Fig. III, I form a bypass conduit in said casing 33 by the di illed duct 59 communicating with the port 60 leading from the inlet to the outlet side of said partition 40 and through the seat 61 for the valve 64,}by which the effective area of said bypass conduit is automatically varied, as hereinafter described. However, I provide the screw 65, which is accessible when said closure plug i5 is ren'ioved, whereby the efiective area of said bypass duct 59 may be manually varied.

As indicated in Fig. III, said valve at is a disk having its upper annular rim extending in a. planeparallel with said valve seat 61 and similar to the main valve 50 above described. Said valve Si is normally upheld by the spiral spring 66 which is compressed between, and bears upon, bothsaid valves 50 and 64. Of coursc said spring 66 is of such strength as to uphold said valve 645 against the pressure of the gas from said inlet 48'; but it is weaker than said main valve spring 55," so that it can not holdsaid valve 50 off its seat, under any circum stances. Said valve 64 encircles the tubular stem 68, of said valve 64,whichis in coaxial relation with thesliem 51 of said valve 50 and fitted on that stem so that itmaybe thrust into contact with said valve 5O to thrust it off its seat 11 when said thermostatic t ube 38 contracts to:the predetermined 'arevolution of said screw 75.

6% on said stem 68 may be manually variably predetermined by the axial adjustment of the nut 70 which engages the screw thread 71 on said stem 68, but is split so as to lit tight enough to prevent its accidental dis placement.

screw thread 71 and said nut 70 be used to am the same in ad usted position. Said valve 64 is so adjusted, axially on its stein valve casing 33 but is prevented from turn ing therein by the set screw 73, shown in Said valve 6% may be loose, or, in screw threaded engagement with said Fig. 11 which projects in the notch H in said casing 33. Said nut 72 is engaged with.

the rotary and axially adjustable. screw stud 75, which has the smooth stem 76 extending into said plunger tube 68 as shown in Fig. III. Said screw may be turned by its index arm 77, which projects radially'therefrom and has its outer end overhanging the scale of graduations 78 on said casing as indicated in Fig. II. Said set screyv't'il; may

also be used to clamp said adjusting screw 75 in its adjusted position.

It is to be understood that the rotaryaddefern'line the precise degree of heat of the water 18 at which said valve 50 may be permitted to close under pressure of its spring 55 and, as above noted, that critical temperature is ordinarily 170 F. However. by re tracting said screw 75 from said nut 71, more or less, said valve 50 may be thereby 'hcldoii' its seats]. until the water 18 reaches 'a corres iiondmglv higher temperature, and

conversely, by shifting said screw 75 "further into said nut '71; said main valve 50 may be permitted to be closed by its spring'55 ata lower temperature than 170 F. The range of that adjustn'ientis indicated by the extent 7 of said scale 78, to wit, about one-third of However, it is to be understood that a greater range of adjustment may be attained by employing push plungers 68 ot diiterent lengths.

I iind it preferable to so calibrate the au ton'iatically operative structure above described that it the main gas valve -50 is closed upon its .seat 41; any further increment 1n theten'iperature of the water 18 surrounding the thermostatic couple elongates the copper tube 4 38 permitting said carbon rod 57 to be thrust. tartherinto said tube 38, by the spring 66 of said valve 64; thus permitting said valve 64 to more closely approach its seat (ilzandthus rapidly reduce ustment of said screw T5 is etiective to prethe e'fle'ctive area of'said bypass 59 and 60, with consequent reduction of the volume of gas supplied through the bypass to said burner 3 and thus prevent overheating the \va'ter'and" the waste of gas and danger to the apparatus which would be consequent upon such overheating.

()f'course, the set screw may be ret' acted to leave the full circular area of said drilled hole 59'unobstructed, or said screw may be inserted to restrict the effective area of the bypass, more or less, down to the minimum, but such manual adjustment of the effective area of said bypass is entirely independent of the automatic control thereof by the valve 64 and its appurtenances.

It is to be noted that whereas-theordinary thermostatically controlled gas water heater, for household use, consumes an average of fifty cubic feet of gas per hour, with considerable waste for the reasons above recited; I find it possible to operate a heater in accordance with my invention to supply sul stantially the same quantity of hot water as such ordinary heaters by the consuniption of not more than twenty-five cubic feet of gas per hour, when the container 9 is provided with a suitable exterior jacket of heat insulating material; Insuch embodiment, the maximum area of the bypass conduit is such. a's'to supply the burner 3 at the rate of ten cubic feet per hour, but the effective area of said bypass is variably limited as above described, so that when the main valve 50 is closed'by the automatic operation of the device at the critical temperature of 170 F.; the water in the container may be maintained'at that temperature by consumption of gas at the rate ofapproximately two cubic feet per hour, until the heated water is withdrawn, permitting cold water to enter the container 9; whereupon, both valves 50 and 64 areopened to permit the maximum flow of-fuel gas to lhe'burner 8 at the rate of twenty-five cubic feet per hour until the water in the container 9 is restored to the desired temperature. However, it is to be understood that I do not desire to restrict the use of my invention to such small'gas consumption or to the ten'iperature range above described, as the adjustable devices specified permit the operation of the heater to n'iaintain the water 18 at any desired temperature.

Although I have shown a main valve 50 and an auxiliary valve 6 1 both in communication' with a single gas inlet and a single gas outlet leading to a single burner; of course, the bypass conduit may lead to said pilot burner 4, distinct from said main burner 3. For instance,a' pipe leading tosaidburner at may be substituted for the screw 81 at the left hand side of Fig. III, to deliver gas from the duct 82 which is a drilled hole insaid. casing 33.

The construction and arrangement above described, of course, permit the consumer to vary the consumption of gas by movement of said index arm 77. However, under some circumstances, it is undesirable to permit the consumer to tamper with the valve controlling mechanism and, therefore, I have shown in Figs. V and VI, a simplified form of my invention, which differs from that shown in Figs. II and III in that said index arm and its appurtenances are omitted. Incidentally, such omission permits of a more compactarrangement of the valve structure by the omission of the bridge portion 83 of the casing 83 which frames said adjusting means in the form of my invention shown in Figs. II and III.

In the form of my invention shown. in Figs. V and VI, the valve casing 85 has the inlet 86 and the outlet 87respectively screw threaded for connection with the pipes 30 as indicated in Fig. I. The partition 89 in said valve casing 85, extends between said inlet and said outlet, and has the main port 90 surrounded by the annular, plane main valve seat 91. The main valve 92 comprises a disk head fitted to said seat 91 and has axially opposite stems 9 1 and 95, the latter serving to engage the conically coiled spring 96 by which said main valve is continually pressed toward its seat aforesaid. Said stem 9 1 is in coaxial and telescopic relation with the tubular stem 97 of the auxiliary valve 98 which comprises a. disk head having an annular plane face fitted to the annular auxiliary plane valve seat 99 surrounding the bypass port 100 which extends through said seat-99 and is connected with the inlet side of the valve casing by the bypass duct 101, which is adrilled hole forming with said port a bypass around said main valve 92, from the inlet to the outlet side of said valve casing 85. The effective area of said bypass duct 101 may be manually varied by the adjustable screw 102 which is accessible when the screw plug closure 108 of said valve casing 85 is removed. Said auxiliary valve 98 is continually urged toward its seat by the conical coiled spiral spring 105 which is interposed between said valves 92 and 98 encircling said stem 94 of the former.

Said valve casing 85 is provided with a single thermostat, such as above described,

and including the copper tube 106 in screw threaded connection with said casing, surrounding the carbon rod plunger 108 which is mounted to reciprocate 111 said tube in coaxial relation with, and common to, both said valve stems 9 1 and 97. However, said tubular stem 97 of the auxiliary valve 98, is

of such length that it normally holds that valve off its seat although if and when said copper tube 106 continues to expand after it reaches the degreeof expansion which permits said carbon rod 108 to be thrust thereintar enough to permit said main valve 92 to be closed upon its seat by its spring 96; said auxiliary valve is moved further toward its seat by the pressure of its spring 105 to thus vary the effective area of said auxiliary port 100.

Although the construction and arrangement of my invention shown in Figs. V and VI are such that no provision is made for adjustment of the action of the thermostat with reference to the two valves 92 and 98 which automatically controls them as above described; it is to be understood that the parts may be so proportioned that the water 18 is normally maintained at the critical temperature of 17 0 F., in the manner above described with reference to the form of my invention shown in Figs. I to IV inclusive, with said auxiliary valve 98 continually off its seat, more or less. However, it is to be understood that the construction and arrangement are such thatsaid auxiliary valve would be closed upon its seat, to entirely shut off the gas supply from the burner 3, before the temperature of the water 18 in the container 9 reaches the boiling point. and preferably at not more than 200 F.; so as to eliminate any possibility of disruption of the heater by generation of steam in said container 9.

However, it is to be understood that suitable means for manually adjustably varying 1 the effect of the thermostat with reference to such valves as are indicated at 92 and 98, may be employed. That is to say, coaxially arranged valves, of the general construction and ar 'angement shown in Fig. VI, may be substituted for the valves 50 and Bl shown in Fig. III, in combination with the manually adjustable means including the screw and the index arm 77 and their appurtenances.

It is characteristic of both forms of my invention above described that a single thermostat is arranged in cooperative relation with main and auxiliary valves which are of the disk type, disposed in parallel plane relation, and having respective stems which are in telescopic relation with each other and common to a single element of the thermostat which is thus adapted to operate both valves in the tandem relation shown and described.

Of course, the eflective area of both of said valves 50 and 6a, corresponding with a given axial movement thereof, is proportionate to the circumference of the respective valve adjacent its seat;.the eifectivc area being, of course, greater with a valve of large diameter than with a valve of smaller diameter. assumed that a single valve might be designedof suilicient diameter to admit the maximum fiow of gas required and yet be Therefore, itmight beadjustable to the minimum required. However, the axial movement is so slight that it is impossible to attain, with a single valve, the maximum flow. desired and the accurate regulation required for the minimum flow. 'lhcreiore, it is essential to the attainment of the effect desired to employ at least two valves. 0 i course, two valves of thep rop'er relative sise might be operated by respec tively distinct thermostaticdevices. Hou ever, such construction and arrangement would not only double the cost of the thermostatic elements, but would fail to attain the precise coordination. of operation of the two valves which is attained by the operation of both valves by the same thermostatic element. Therefore, itis characteristic of my invention thatit includes not only two vves or" respectively difl'erent capacities, but a single thermostatic element arranged to operate both such valves.

hiioreover, although I have found it convenient to illustrate my thermostatically operative valve in conjunction with a water heater of a specific type; it is to be understood that I do not desire to limit myself to i that embodiment, as it is obvious that such valves may be used for other purposes, and various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined in the ap pended claims.

I claim:

1. Ina gas water heater; the combination with a water container; of a burner arrangedv to heat thewater in said container; a main gas valve controlling a main fuel gas conduit leading to said burne a bypass conduit leading to said burner, around said main valve; an auxiliary valve controlling said bypass conduit; a spring tending to close said main valve; a springtending to close said auxiliary valve; a single thermostatic element, extending in said container, and in operative relation with both said valves, ar ranged to continually hold said auxiliary valve open, to a variable extent, and thereby vary the effective area of saidbypass, in accordance with the temperature of the water in said container, and arranged to open said main valve at a predetermined temperature, and permit said main valve to be closed, at a predetermined temperature, by its: spring; and means adjustable to variably determine. the temperatures at which said valves shall be respectively operated in coordinated relation; whereby the heating effect of said burner is automatically determined and con trolled td regulate the temperature of the water in said container and compensate for variations in such temperature, consequent upon withdrawal of hot water and influx of cold water with respect to said container.

2. In a gas water heater; the combination with a water container; of a burner arloU Iii)

lit)

ranged to heat the water in said container; a main gas valve controlling a main fuel gas conduit leading to said burners, aby pass conduit leading to said burner, around said main valve; an auxiliary valve controlling said bypass conduit; a spring tending to close said auxiliary valve; a single thermostatic element, extending in said container, and-in operative relation with both said' valves, arranged to continually hold saidauxiliary valve open, to a variable extent, and thereby vary the effective area of said bypass, in accordance with the temperature of the water in said container, and arranged to open said main valve at a predetermined temperature, and permit said main valve to be closed, at a predetermined temperature, by its spring; whereby the heating effect of said burner is automatically determined and controlled to regulate the. temperature of the water in said container and compensate for variations in such temperature, consequent upon withdrawal of hot water, andinflux of cold water with respect to said container.

3. In a gas waterheater; the combination with a water container; of a burner arranged to heat the water in said container; a main gas valve disk controlling a main fuel, conduit leading to said burner; a bypass conduit leading to said burner, around said main valve; an auxiliary valve disk, in coaxial relation with said main disk, controllingsaid bypass conduit; a thermostatic element. in operative relation with both of said valves, arranged to continually hold said auxiliary valve open, and thereby vary the effective area of said bypass, in accordance with the temperature of the water in said container, and arranged to open said main valve at a predetermined temperature, and permit said main valve to be closed at a predetermined temperature, and means adjustablett-o variably determine the temperatures at which said valves shall be respectively operated; whereby the heat i11g effect, of said burner is automatically determined and controlled to regulate the temperature of the water in said container and compensa'e for variations in such temperature, consequent upon withdrawal of hot water and influx of cold water with respect to said container.

l. In a gas water heater; the combination with a, water container; of a burner arranged to heat the water in said container; a main gas valve disk controlling a main fuel conduit leading to said burner; a bypass conduit leading to said burner, around said main valve; an auxiliary valve disk, in coaxial relation with said main dish, controlling said bypass conduit; a thern osl'atic element, in operative relation with both said valves arranged to continually hold said auxiliary valve open, and thereby vary the effective area of said bypass, in accordance with the temperature of the water in said container, and arranged to open said main valve at a predetermined temperature, and permit said main valve to be closed, at a predetermined temperature; whereby the heating effect of said burner is automatically determined and controlled to regulate the temperature of the water in said container and compensate for variations in such temperature, consequent upon withdrawal of hot water: and influx of cold water with respect to vsaid container.

5. In a gas water heater; the combination with a. water container; of a burner arranged to heat the water in said container: a valve casing, having two valve seatsin coaxial, parallel plane, relation;,a main gas valve controlling a main fuel gas conduit leading to said burner and fitted to one of said seats; a bypass conduit leading to said burner, around said mainvalve and through the other valve seat; an auxiliary valve fitted to said otuer seat and controlling said bypass conduit; a spring tending to close said main valve; a spring tending to close auxiliary valve; a single thermostatic element, extending in said container, and in operative relation with both said valves, ar-

ranged to continually hold said auxiliary valve open, to a variable extent, and thereby vary the effective area of said bypass, in accordance with the temperature of the water in said container, and arranged to open said main valve at a predetermined temperature, and permit said main valve to be closed, at a predetermined temperature, by its spring; and means adjustable to variably determine the temperatures at which said valves shall be respectively operated in coordinated relation; whereby he heat:- ing effect of said burner is automatically determined and controlled to regulate the temperature of the water in said container and compensate for va*iations in such temperature, consequent upon withdrawal of hot water and influx of cold water with respect to said container.

6. In a gas water heater; the, combination with a water container; of a burner arranged to heat the water in saidcontainer; a valve casing having two valve seats in coaxial, parallel plane, relation; a main gas valve controlling a main fuel gas conduit leading to said burner and through one of said seats; a bypass conduit leading to said burner around said main valve and through the other valve seat; means manually adjustable to vary the area of said bypass couduit; an auxiliary valve fitted to said other seat and controlling said bypass conduct; a spring tending to close said niain valve; a spring tending to close said auxiliary valve; said valves being disks in coaxial relation, having respective stems in telescopic relamit said main valve to be closed at a predetermined temperature, by its spring; and means adjustable to variably determine the temperature at which said valves shall be respectively operated in coordinated relation; whereby the heating e'llect' of said burner is automatically. determined and con trolled to regulate the temperature of the water in said container and compensate for variations in such temperature.

7. In a gas water heater; the combination with a water container; of a burner arranged to heat the water in said container; a valve casing having two valve seats in coaxial, parallel plane, relation; a main gas valve controlling a main fuel gas conduit leading to said burner and through one oi said seats; a lay-pass conduit leading to said burner around said main valve and through the other valve seat; means manually adjustable to vary thearea of said bypass conduit; an auxiliary valve fitted to saidother seat and controlling said bypass conduit; a spring tending to close said main valve; a spring tending to close said auxiliary valve; said valves being disks in coaxial relation, having respective stems in telescopic relation; a single thermostatic element, extending in said container and in cooperative relation with both said valves, arranged to normally hold said auxiliary valve open, to a. variable extent, and thereby vary the eiiective area of said bypass in accordance with the temperature of the water in said container, and arranged to open said main valve at a predetermined temperature, and permit said main valve to be closed at a predetermined temperature, by its spring; whereby the heating effect of said burner is automatically determined and controlled to regulate the temperature of the water in said container and compensate for variations in such temperature.

8. The combination with valve casing, having an inlet and outlet, a main port surrounded by an annular, plane, main valve seat and a bypass pert surrounded by an annular, auxiliary, plane, valve seat; of a main valve comprising a disk head, fitted to said main valve seat, and an axial stem; an auxiliary valve comprising a disk head fitted to said auxiliary valve seat, and an axial stem; said valves being arranged for relative axial reciprocation with one valve stenr sliding within the other; separate spiral springs, arranged to respectively urge said valves tosingle plunger element in coaxial, relation with, and common to, both said valve stems,

arranged'to automatically open both of said valves, at certain temperatures, in opposition to said springs; whereby said main valve is permitted to close said main port at a certain temperature, while said auxiliary valve is normally held off its seat to an extent automaticallyvariable in accordance with the temperature of said thermostat, and the eli'ective area. of said ports thus automatically controlled and varied; and manually adjustable means arranged to determine the effective area of said bypass.

9. The combinationwith a valve casing, having one inlet and outlet, a main port sur, rounded by a main valve seat; a bypass port surrounded by an auxiliary valve seat; a main valve comprising a disk head, fitted to said main valve seat, and an axial stem; an

auxiliary valve comprisinga disk head fitted to said auxihary valve seat, and an axlal stem; said valves being arranged for relative axial reciprocation with one valve stem sliding within the other; springs, arranged to respectivelyurge said valves toward their seats; and a thermostat having a single plunger element common to both said valve stems, arrangedto automatically open both of said valves, at certain temperatures, in opposition to said springs; whereby said main valve'is permitted to close said main port at a certain temperature, While said auxiliary valve is normally held off its seat to an extent automatically variable in accordance with the temperature of said thermostat, and the efiective area of said ports thus automatically controlled and varied; and manually adjustable means arranged to determine the eiiective area of said bypass.

'10, The combination with a valve casing, having an inlet and outlet, a main port surrounded by a main valve seat and a bypass port surrounded by an auxiliary valve seat; of a main valve comprising a disc head fitted to said main valve seat, and an axial stem; an auxiliary valve comprising a disc head, fitted to said auxiliary valve seat, and an axial stem; said valves being arranged for relative axial reciprocation with one valve stem sliding within the other; spring means arranged to urge said valves toward their seats; and one thermostat arranged to automatically open both of said valves, at certain temperatures; whereby said main 'alve is permitted to close said main port at a certain temperature, while said auxiliary valve is normally held off its seat to an extent automatically variable in accordance with the temperature of said thermostat, and the effective area of said ports thus automatically controlled and varied.

11. The combination with a water container; of a gas burner arranged to heat the water in said container; means, arranged to contnolgand,regulate a supplyof gas to said burner,-including a valve casing hav ng two-valve seats in coaxial, ,parallelplane,

relation respectively surrounding .a mainport and .an auxiliary port;, and; a mam:

valve and anaauxiliary valve-comprising IBSPQCUVQ disk heads -1n parallel plane relascopic relation and Qa singlethermostat, ar-

ranged to coordinately operate bothuof said valves,.by means of saidstems; andspring means arranged to urge each of .saidvalves towardits seat, whereby said auxiliaryvalve is normally held oli its-seat, to an extent automatically variable in accordance with theqtemperatureof said thermostat, after saidmain valveis closed upon its seat.

12. The combination with avalve casing havingtwovalve seats-in coaxial, parallel plane relation respectively surrounding a main ort and an auxiliary port; of armain valve and an auxiliary. valve comprising respective disk heads, in parallelplane relation, respectively opposed to said valveseats, and lravingstems in coaxiahtelescopic. relation; and a single thermostat, arranged to coordinately ,openate both of said valves, by means of said Stems; and spring means arranged to urge each of said-valves toward its seat;- whereby said auxiliary valve is normallyheld ofi its seat, to an extent auto:

matically, .variable in accordance .jwith the temperature-of the said thermostat, after said mainvalvehis closed .upon its seat,

13. The combination withua valve casing. having a. large ,ma ngport and a smaller.

bypass port independently leadingfrom an inlet to anoutletni said leasing; ,of two valves. respectively arranged to independ ently control, sald ports; closing means con-.

tinuallynurgingsaid, valves. to close said ports and thermostatic ,means,; common [to both saidvalves, constructed. and arranged l lnThe combination with a valve casing having tworp orts. independently leading fronran inlet to .an outlet in said 7 casing of two valves respectively arranged to control said ports; closing means". continually urging said valves, to close saidports; and thermostatic means, common to both said valves,constructed and arranged to ;open bothnsaid valves and permit .them to be closed, by saidclosing means, independently of each other,in accordance with changes in temperature.v

In testimony whereof,- I have hereunto signed byname. at Philadelphia, .Pennsyl- 'ania, the nineteenth .day of August, 19%. c ARTHURE. vPl-LIClE. lVitnesses;

CAROLINE E. REUTER,

HARE? A. M0sn-a..... 

